Fire chiefs seek to avert strikes

Fire authority employers tonight made new moves aimed at ending the outbreak of unofficial industrial action which has threatened a new national strike by firefighters.

The employers wrote to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) with a new proposal to tackle the row over rest breaks for firefighters on night shifts.

Meanwhile the union gave an ultimatum to the Greater Manchester fire authority to give a series of undertakings by 4pm tomorrow or face strikes.

More firefighters in Greater Manchester were suspended today for refusing to operate new anti-terrorist equipment in protest at a hitch to the deal which ended the bitter national strike a year ago.

A total of 47 FBU members are now suspended, raising the prospect of a ballot for industrial action among 2,000 firefighters in the area.

Kevin Brown, the union's Manchester brigade secretary, accused local managers of "jumping the gun" over modernisation changes, saying: "It is unacceptable to seek to prematurely introduce new terms and conditions which have not been agreed."

Union officials were tonight meeting Manchester's chief fire officer Barry Dixon and giving him the 4pm ultimatum on conditions. If they are rejected, then union officials will meet in Manchester tomorrow to determine the type of industrial action to be called for in a ballot.

Firefighters in many brigades across the UK were still answering 999 calls only today in protest at the suspensions in Manchester.

Leaders of fire authority employers met in London to discuss the row over stand down time, when firefighters remain on standby at stations during the night but do not carry out duties other than answering emergency calls.

Christina Jebb, chairwoman of the employers' side, said: "The employers agreed to put proposals to the FBU in relation to concerns expressed by them over stand down time. After a productive discussion we have come up with a proposed form of words we believe will at least give both parties the basis for more talks.

"We believe this form of words will address the need for firefighters to have reasonable rest periods when they are not required by their fire authorities to undertake duties at night."

Mrs Jebb said the two sides should meet as soon as possible to try to break the deadlock, adding: "After agreement has been reached, the outstanding 3.5%, backdated to last November, will be paid."

At a press conference tonight, Mr Dixon said a fire crew had again been suspended in Salford and more than two-thirds of green watch in Broughton had also been sent home without pay for refusing to use the anti-terror equipment.

He said he could not confirm union reports that a further crew in Stockport had been suspended without pay.

He has written to FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist demanding he repudiate the current industrial action and he also threatened to begin legal proceedings and seek damages against the union. In his letter he said: "I can assure you that I do not state this intention lightly.

"However, I cannot allow the current instances of union officials encouraging unofficial industrial action without the support of a ballot to remain unchallenged, placing at risk, as it does, the safety of other colleagues and the public of Greater Manchester."

Asked to comment on the plan to ballot members for industrial action, Mr Dixon said he would be in favour of the move as this would make any strikes legal and allow the brigade time to make alternative arrangements to ensure the safety of residents.

He said: "I would ask the FBU locally to advise their members not to partake in unofficial action that puts them outside the law.

"I don't want Greater Manchester to be the focus nor indeed the catalyst for the dispute to escalate."

Following the meeting, FBU national officer John McGhee said he was disappointed with the employers' attitude.

He said: "They're still very bullish and will continue to send people home which is very disappointing.

"Our members are extremely angry about how they are being treated by the national employers and now also by the employers here in Manchester."

He added that representatives from Greater Manchester's 41 fire stations would hold a meeting in Eccles tomorrow to discuss their next move.